Korea's K-Water mulls bid to develop Wawa reservoir

MANILA, Philippines - Korea Water Resources Corp. (K-Water) is contemplating on submitting a proposal to the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) for the development of Wawa reservoir as another potential source of water supply in the medium-term.

Jiheun Yun, K-Water representative in the Philippines, said the state-run Korean company is also interested in the Wawa project as it is keen on finding ways to look for flood control solutions for Marikina.

Wawa River, located in Rodriguez, Rizal, is the name of the headwaters of Marikina River, a few kilometers north of the capital city Manila. The Wawa Dam was created during the American era to serve the water needs of

Metro Manila. It used to be the only source of water for Manila until Angat Dam was built and Wawa was abandoned. But due to the insufficiency of the water supply for Metro Manila, there has been strong clamor to reuse the dam.

“We are very interested in the Wawa Dam. Wawa can contribute in the water supply. Most important, we can have the flood control benefits in Marikina. I came to the Philippines two and a half years ago and I experienced (typhoon) Ondoy. I really want to develop that dam,” he said.

“We checked that Wawa is most important in the MWSS proposal. But they are still studying which source is better for the future. They said they are still studying the next source for Manila. In my understanding, Wawa Dam is a good potential source,” he said.

Based on initial estimates, the Wawa project could have an initial capacity of 300 million liters daily for water supply and could generate some 500 megawatts of power.

Yun said the investment for the initial stage would range from $150 million to $200 million.

The company official earlier said K-Water is keen on pouring in some $1 billion capital in the Philippine market over the next three years.

K-Water is engaged in the construction, operation and management of multi-purpose dams and multi-regional/local water supply systems.

Founded in1967, K-Water contributed to the growth of the Korean economy and the improvement of the public welfare by implementing water resources development projects and managing these resources.